ARLINGTON, Texas, USA — Zach Neto and Taylor Ward homered, Tyler Anderson pitched a two-hit ball in just over seven innings and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Rangers 9-3 on Friday, representing manager Ron Washington’s first victory as a visitor in Texas.
Neto broke a 1-1 tie and gave the Angels the lead for good with his two-run homer in the fourth inning, a 405-foot line to right field, for his fifth home run on the season.
Anderson (4-4) struck out four and walked two.
Washington is the manager with the most victories in Rangers history with 644 between 2007 and 2014. He led Texas to its first two World Series in 2010 and 2011. He is in his first season with the Angels (17-28), his first He has worked in the position since his time in Texas.
Jonah Heim and Marcus Semien homered for Texas, which has lost seven of its last nine games.
At 23-23, the reigning World Series champion Rangers are at .500 for the eighth time this year. They won each of their last seven games to avoid a losing record, something they haven’t had at any point since Bruce Bochy became their manager last season.
Left-hander Andrew Heaney (0-5), who pitched for the Angels from 2015-21, struck out five, walked two and allowed three runs – two earned – in 3 2/3 innings. He matched his shortest outing of the season.
For the Angels, Venezuelan Luis Rengifo went 1 for 4 with one run scored.
